Greetings to Cardinal Pablo David By Vicente P. Ladlad
We, the political prisoners of MMDJ Annex 4, extend our heartfelt congratulations to you, Cardinal Pablo David, on your appointment as the tenth Cardinal of the Catholic Church in the Philippines.
You are truly deserving of this honor because you have deepened and strengthened the faith of the people you serve, and have fearlessly defended them from harm. You stood up for the victims of the Duterte regime’s bloody war on drugs, even facing legal charges and death threats yourself.
We are deeply grateful that you celebrated Mass for the political prisoners and other PDLs at the MMDJ Annex 4 on January 16, 2024. You were the first Catholic bishop to hold a Mass inside a prison in Metro Manila, particularly for political prisoners. Not long after, you were named a Cardinal. It is a great honor for us that the tenth Cardinal of the Catholic Church in the Philippines has visited us celebrated Mass for us at MMDJ Annex 4.
When you became a cardinal, I didn’t expect you would be able to visit us again due to the heavy responsibilities that come with your new role in the Church. But Kapatid was optimistic when its spokesperson, my wife Fides Lim, wrote the CBCP and invited you to celebrate Mass for the political prisoners on December 26. I was gladly mistaken in thinking you would decline. You accepted the invitation of Kapatid swiftly and without hesitation.
Cardinal David, you have clearly demonstrated your care for the welfare of persons deprived of liberty, including those illegally deprived of liberty, the political prisoners.
December 26, 2024 is no ordinary day. On this day, Pope Francis will open the door of Rebibbia prison in Rome as part of the starting activities of the Jubilee Year 2025, with the theme “Pilgrims of Hope.” The opening of the prison door at Rebibbia symbolizes an invitation to prisoners to look forward with hope and renewed faith.
On this day, with your visit, you help strengthen our own outlook for the future with hope and faith.
Indeed, Cardinal David, you are truly a Pilgrim of Hope and Peace.
We hope that with your help and the people’s support, all political prisoners in the country will be set free.
